Kay S

Maybe, but Princess gives every indication of wanting to run off the old-timers in order to become "Classier Carnival." Big ships full of families with lots (and lots) of little kids but without the "party drunks" problem. They are constantly chipping away at Elite benefits, forcing a sorry little app on everyone, doing, in short, all they can to to get us old people to go away. "Classier Carnival" won't be as much fun with those pesky old people and their walkers in the way.

Once Princess has your money, they will keep it for as long as they can. It's sitting in their bank collecting interest for them and not in yours doing the same for you. It's really sad how far Princess has sunk. I remember when they at least pretended to care what customers wanted.

Thousands of people (I would bet) want TD back, but Princess does not care what traditional cruisers want.

My one experience with Berth 46 was on a B2B. The first leg, I boarded at 93, but the second was at 46. We docked there and disembarked. I got back on again for the next cruise. I remember the big white tents. I think there were porta potties. Once you get the the port, I'm sure there will be signs for 46. Ubers and taxis are familiar with the set up. This only happens when there are three ships docking.

I wonder, has anyone ever been upgraded out of a CC mini suite? I wouldn't think so, unless it were to a full suite, but who knows what goes on in the algorithm of Princess?

If you haven't done Princess, try it and see how you like it. I loved pre-covid Princess (26 cruises worth.) My problem now is that things have changed so much, traditional things disappeared or scaled back, endless problem with the technology, on board and off. If you didn't know old Princess, new Princess might be a good fit for you. I agree that Ruby is a great ship, and if you can book on her, you will increase your chances of having a great time.

Unless you are familiar with LA and the surrounding cities, driving to see the sights could be a real chore. Traffic is as bad as they say, and often worse. Parking is hard to find in the city and expensive. I would recommend you take a private tour if Princess doesn't offer one. Tour drivers know the shortcuts. Getting into LAX is a time-consuming adventure on its own.

My understanding is that the location of the lounge can change, based on how many Elite, etc. are on board. Smaller numbers would meet in Club 6 but larger numbers would move it to Vista. I've seen it both ways.

Did you miss the balcony?

Cabo is warm pretty much year round. We will be doing the Cabo cruise in Nov., and I plan to stay on the ship the whole time. I've been to Cabo many times. Since we will be going for the ship rather than the itinerary, the ship facilities become that much more important. I'm thinking the Discovery will be just fine for us. I'm planning to visit the Crown Grill, the excellent upcharge steak house.

Is the 5 day Princess to Mexico?

I guess I'll be doing lamb chops more than once in the CG on this cruise. I have always thought they do the best chops of anyone. I'm glad the Sky is retaining the traditional Princess restaurants.

It's possible there are cabins set aside by Princess just to use for bidding purposes.

I understand that thinking. We have a 14 day cruise on the Sky in June, so I have been researching the options other than MDR. Because this trip is financed by FCC and OBC, I figure this is a good time to do the upcharge venues. Which ones did you use?

Good idea. I have a bunch of OBC to use up, to that would be a good way to do it. I have never done the Balcony dinner or breakfast.

Okay. You do you. I know what I call the thing.

I have several, and they stand up great in the dishwasher.

Bye, bye Vines.

Of course, what happens on Celebrity has no connection to what happens on Princess.

Princess is doing anything and everything for money, and the don't seem to care one whit about the customers. I would be furious is I were you.

I have seen this many times, a large group split into smaller tables that are next to each other. It seems to make conversation among the group easier.

I think it was mostly bad luck.

You can call your French press any pretentious name you like, but I will be happy to use mine if they give me a kettle (which the rest of the world calls an electric tea pot) and I think I can figure out what do with the grounds. I'm very smart that way.

That's the plan. I still keep wondering how they are going to fill all those beds that aren't the ship-in-a-ship. I keep waiting for the "family friendly" ads to start. Of course, as you say, I won't be on board the ship anyway.

Well, a nice little French press would be good... I'm doing a cruise out of Southampton next year (round trip on the Sky) so I wonder if I'll get a kettle?